Venturi Vaporizer

ABSTRACT

An improved bowl for a water pipe which has both a venturi port for providing vaporized herbs into the stem of the water bowl as well as a fresh are intake port for providing mixing air which dilutes the concentration of the vaporized herb which is inhaled by the smoker. The improved water pipe bowl of the is primarily comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana oil or other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in close proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the bowl section and the stem of the water pipe; and a fresh air intake port, located substantially away from the substance to be vaporized or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem of the water pipe and fresh air supply.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to consuming medicinal marijuana. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for heating marijuana oils in order to extract the active ingredient of plant material by vaporization.

BACKGROUND

Water pipes are Well known and come in a variety of forms, including hookahs and narghiles. The term “Water pipe” Will be used to encompass all such smoking devices.

The water pipe has been used for centuries to smoke both plain and flavored tobaccos, medicinal marijuana, mixtures of various aromatic herbs and spices, or mixtures of both. Typically a water pipe has a bowl in which the substance to be smoked is placed, the bowl being mounted on top of a reservoir structure. The interior of the reservoir is partially filled with water. Extending downward from the bowl into the reservoir is a tubular hollow stem, with its lowermost extremity immersed in the water. The interior portion of the reservoir structure (i.e., the air space) above the level of the water forms a chamber into which smoke may be collected. One or more inhalation tubes extend outward from this smoke collection portion of the reservoir or from a neck base extending from and in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Inhaling through the inhalation tube, a smoker causes smoke to be drawn from the bowl down the stem, passing the smoke through the water in the lower portion of the reservoir. Passing upwards through the water in the form of bubbles, smoke gradually fills the smoke collection portion of the reservoir, and when sufficient smoke has been collected, passes on through the inhalation tube to the smoker. By drawing the smoke through a water reservoir, the smoke is filtered and cooled.

This basic functionality is shared by virtually all traditional water pipes, which generally differ in size, shape, and style although the means used to burn the substance to be smoked may also differ. Some use a lighted coal placed in or above the bowl with the herb to provide a heat source for burning the herb. Others may require an ignition source such as a match or butane lighter to be placed near the top of the bowl to begin burning the herb. However, all traditional water pipes use combustion as the method of producing smoke, thus also producing all the undesirable combustion by-products in the smoke. Use of water to filter and cool the smoke may reduce some of the undesirable smoke components, but some cannot be removed in this manner.

Combustion has traditionally been the only technology available for production of smoke. However, electric power has allowed development of a variety of alternatives to combustion for use by smokers. These typically generate a sufficient amount of heat to vaporize volatile aromatic components of the herbs or concentrated herb oils without actually burning the herbs, in this way avoiding production of undesirable combustion by-products such as carbon monoxide present in smoke.

Typically, the electric vaporization of the herb or herb oils is achieved by connecting and adjustable electric heater to the bowls, which heat the bowls and herbs to the desired temperature to achieve vaporization. Once vaporized, the vapor is drawn into the water pipe through the bowl and stem as described above.

The bowls used in these vaporizers have a single inlet which draws the vapors into the stem. Depending on the preferences of the smoker utilizing this bowl, the resulting vapors can be harsh or overly strong. Additionally, if the smoke is utilizing the device for medicinal marijuana, a highly concentrated vapor may have stronger effects that are desired. Since there is a single inlet for the vapors, there is no mechanism to dilute the concentration of vapor inhaled by the smoker.

Thusly, there is a need for a water pipe which allows a smoker to dilute the concentration of vapors inhaled by a smoker who wishes to enjoy a lower concentration vapor when they smoke.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to provide an improved water pipe, as is described in detail further herein below. The water pipe of the present invention vaporizes volatile aromatic components of the herbs or herb oil concentrates without actually burning the herbs or herb oils, thereby avoiding production of undesirable combustion by-products. Additionally, the water pipe allows the vapor concentration inhaled by the smoker to be controller through by diluting the vapor with fresh air.

In achieving this goal, the present invention provides an improved water pipe bowl which has both a venturi port for providing vaporized herbs into the stem of the water bowl as well as a fresh are intake port for providing mixing air which dilutes the concentration of the vaporized herb which is inhaled by the smoker.

The improved water pipe bowl of the current invention is primarily comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana oil or other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in close proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the bowl section and the stem of the water pipe; and a fresh air intake port, located substantially away from the substance to be vaporized or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem of the water pipe and fresh air supply.

Additionally, the water pipe bowl provides a location where an electric heating element can be attached to the water pipe bowl so that the substance to be vaporized can be elevated to the proper temperature for vaporization.

Once the substance is heated to the proper temperature for vaporization, the smoker will inhale through the inhalation tube, which will draw both fresh air from through the fresh air intake port and the vaporized substance from the venturi port. The fresh air and vaporized substance will mix as they travel through the stem, water, and inhalation tube. The resulting effect will be a less concentrated and less harsh vapor inhaled by the smoker.

The improved bowl piece for a water pipe is also comprised of multiple pieces to allow the piece to be disassembled for clean-ability, and is constructed of a material that does not emit harsh or toxic substances when heated, such as 316L Stainless steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view drawings depicting an assembled water pipe.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, with lid, the preferred embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the assembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the disassembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, an alternate embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the top piece of the three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional exploded side view of the disassembled three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, without lid, an alternate embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus, without lid.

FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the disassembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus, without lid

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the a fully assembled water pipe of the current invention comprises; a bowl 1, a beveled section 2 where the bowl and the reservoir structure 3 connect and seal, a reservoir structure 3, and a inhalation tube 4.

The reservoir structure 3 is generally comprised of connection piece 5 at the top of the reservoir structure 3 for attaching the bowl 1, a reservoir section 6 that can be partially filled with water 7, a stem 8 that connects the connection piece 5 and the water 7, and an additional connection piece 9, allowing the inhalation tube 4 to be connected to the reservoir structure 3.

In the preferred embodiment the bowl 1 and inhalation tube 4 are connected to the reservoir structure 3 at the connection pieces 5 and 9 via beveled connectors due to the ease of assembly and disassembly, and clean-ability. However, these connections could be made in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as threading or clamps.

The focus of the present invention is on the bowl 1 portion of the water pipe, more specifically, a bowl 1 designed for vaporizing oil substances for smoking. Historically, there have been no bowl apparatuses available which allow for the dilution of the vaporized oil smoke with air to reduce the concentration of the smoke the smoker inhales. The bowl 1 of the current invention addresses this shortcoming.

Generally, the improved bowl 1 of the current invention is primarily comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana oil or other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in close proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the bowl section and the stem 8 of the water pipe; and a fresh air intake port, located substantially away from the substance to be vaporized or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem 8 of the water pipe and a fresh air supply.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 & 5 the preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of two pieces: a bowl piece 100 and a venturi piece 200. The venturi piece 200 fits inside of the bowl piece 100.

The bowl piece 100 is comprised of: a bowl structure 101 with a hole in the bottom 102 for insertion of the venturi piece 200; a receiving counterbore for the venturi piece 103; a reservoir connector 104; an interface for an electronic heater 106, and a throat section 105, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the venturi piece 200 to the stem 8.

The venturi piece 200 is comprised of: an insertion protrusion 201 that mates with the receiving counterbore for the venturi piece 103; a lid 202 that closes the top of the a bowl structure 101; a throat section 203; a venturi port 204 connecting the volume inside of the bowl structure 101 and the throat section 203, and a fresh air intake port 205 that connects the throat section 203 and the outside air 10.

When the venturi piece 200 is inserted into the bowl piece 100 the insertion protrusion 201 of the venturi piece 200 is inserted into the hole in the bottom of the bowl 102 and will mate with the receiving counterbore for the venturi piece 103 in the bowl piece 100, creating a seal around the hole in the bottom of the bowl structure 101 so that the substances to be smoke which are placed into the bowl 101 will not leak from the bowl structure 101.

Additionally, when the venturi piece 200 is inserted into the bowl piece 100 the lid 202 of the venturi piece 200 will mate with the top of the bowl structure 101 creating a seal that will entrain vapor within the bowl.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the lid 202 of the venturi piece 200 has a notched section 206. The notched section allows oil to be added to the bowl structure 101 when the venturi piece 200 is inserted into and sealed with the bowl piece 100. Additionally, the notched section 206 provides a relief so that a vacuum doesn't form within the bowl 1 when the substance being smoked is inhaled by the smoker. The notched section 206 also allow for the evacuation of vapor remnants from the bowl structure 101.

Within the venturi piece 200 located below the lid 202 is the venturi port 204. The distance between the venturi port and the lid should be such that when the venturi piece 200 is inserted into the bowl piece 100 the bottom of the venturi port 204 is above the level of any oil that will be vaporized within the bowl, to prevent spillage. The venturi port 204 connects the bowl structure 101 of the bowl piece 100 and the throat section 203 of the venturi piece 200. The venturi port provides passage for the vaporized substances from the bowl 1 into the stem 8 of the reservoir structure 3. The cross sectional area of the venturi port 204 will control the flow of vapor through the water pipe.

Atop the venturi piece 200 is a fresh air intake port 205 that connects the throat section 203 and the outside air 10. The cross sectional area of the will control the flow of fresh air 10 through the water pipe.

Once the water pipe has been assembled, a heating element is attached to the bowl 1 at the interface for an electronic heater 106. Typically, the heating elements are doughnut shaped, therefore the interface for an electronic heater 106 in the preferred embodiment is a cylindrical shape to allow for the electronic heater better interface with the bowl 1 ensuring the best possible heat transfer between the elements.

When the water pipe is fully assembled, filled, and heated to the proper temperature to vaporize the substance to be smoked, the smoker with inhale through the inhalation tube 4. The inhalation will create a vacuum that will draw fresh air through the a fresh air intake port 205 and vaporized substance through the venturi port 204 into the throat sections of the venturi piece 203 and bowl piece 105. The fresh air and the vaporized substance will mix as they travel through the stem 8, water 7, and inhalation tube 4. The resulting mixture of fresh air and vaporized substance will be significantly less harsh than pure vaporized substance would be by itself.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 depict an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the water pipe bowl is comprised of 3 primary components: a bowl piece 300, a venturi piece 400, and a lid piece 500.

The bowl piece 300 is comprised of: a bowl structure 301 with a hole in the bottom 302 for insertion of the venturi piece 400; a receiving port for the venturi piece 303; a reservoir connector 304; an interface for an electronic heater 306, and a throat section 305, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the venturi piece 400 to the stem 8.

The venturi piece 400 is comprised of: an insertion protrusion 401 that mates with the receiving port for the venturi piece 303; an protrusion 402 that mates with the lid piece 500; a throat section 403; a venturi port 404 connecting the volume inside of the bowl structure 301 and the throat section 403.

The lid piece 500 is comprised of: a lid structure 501 that will mate with the top of the bowl structure 301 creating a seal that will entrain vapor within the bowl; a receiving counterbore 502 for the venturi piece protrusion 402; a fresh air intake port 503 that connects the venturi piece throat section 403 and the outside air 10; and a hole 504 that provides a relief so that a vacuum doesn't form within the bowl 1 when the substance being smoked is inhaled by the smoker and also allows for the evacuation of vapor remnants from the bowl structure 301.

This alternate embodiment functions very similar to the earlier described preferred embodiment with one distinct feature, the lid 500 can be completely removed to allow the bowl structure 301 to be filled with the substance to be smoked. This feature allows for the lid 500 to be removed for easier filling of the bowl structure 301 and also allows the lid 500 to be removed when smoking so that the bowl structure 301 is exposed to the outside air, allowing for additional mixing of the vapor and fresh air within the bowl structure 301, further diluting the vapor with fresh air, if desired.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 depict an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the water pipe bowl is comprised of 2 primary components: a bowl piece 600, a venturi piece 700.

The bowl piece 600 is comprised of: a bowl structure 601 with a hole in the bottom 602 for insertion of the venturi piece 700; a receiving port for the venturi piece 603; a reservoir connector 604; an interface for an electronic heater 606, and a throat section 605, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the venturi piece 700 to the stem 8.

The venturi piece 700 is comprised of: an insertion protrusion 701 that mates with the receiving port for the venturi piece 603 of the bowl piece 600; a fresh air intake port 702 that connects the venturi piece throat section 703 and the outside air 10; a throat section 703; a venturi port 704 connecting the volume inside of the bowl structure 601 and the throat section 703.

This alternate embodiment functions very similar to the earlier described embodiments with one distinct feature, there is no lid. This feature allows for the bowl structure 601 to be exposed to the outside air, in lieu of being isolated by a lid structure, allowing for additional mixing of the vapor and fresh air within the bowl structure 601, further diluting the vapor with fresh air, if desired.

In all of the embodiments, the bowls 1 are constructed of 316L Stainless Steel. 316L Stainless Steel is the preferred material of construction due to its good thermal conductivity, durability, clean-ability, and the fact that it does not tend to release any contaminants into the air when heated to the temperatures required to vaporize the substances to be smoked. While 316L Stainless Steel is the preferred materials of construction for the bowl 1 of the current invention, the bowl 1 could be constructed of any materials known to those skilled in the art, including titanium and ceramics.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowl apparatus for use with a smoking apparatus comprising: an elongated tube having upper and lower ends; a reservoir having an interior volume; a venturi port connecting the interiors of said elongated tube and said reservoir; a fresh air intake located on the upper end of said elongated tube; means for connecting said bowl apparatus and to said smoking apparatus wherein said means is located on the lower end of said elongated tube; whereas a substance to be smoked using said smoking apparatus can be placed in said reservoir and elevated to a temperature to produce vapor; whereas when negative pressure is applied to said elongated tube lower end smoke or vapor is drawn from said reservoir into said elongated tube through said venturi port and fresh air is also drawn into said elongated tube through said fresh air intake and the fresh air dilutes the vapor before it exists the bowl apparatus through said means for connecting said bowl apparatus to said smoking apparatus.
 2. The bowl apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for connecting an electronic heating device to the apparatus in close proximity to said reservoir.
 3. The bowl apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reservoir is formed by a bowl structure with a hole in the center of the bowl structure where the bowl structure can be slide over said elongated tube, and when fit together, the center of the bowl structure and the exterior of said elongated tube form a seal which can hold a liquid.
 4. The bowl apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bowl apparatus is further comprised of two pieces comprising: an upper piece comprised of the upper end of said elongated tube, said venturi port, and said fresh air intake; a lower piece is comprised of the lower end of said elongated tube, said reservoir structure, said means for connecting the bowl apparatus and to a smoking apparatus; means for connecting the upper and lower pieces together; whereas when fit together the upper and lower sections of the elongated tube form a continuous channel allowing fresh air and vapor to travel from the upper piece to the smoking apparatus.
 5. The bowl apparatus of claim 4 wherein said upper piece further comprises a lid which will fit over and seal said reservoir of said lower piece when the upper piece and lower piece are connected.
 6. The bowl apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bowl apparatus is further comprised of three pieces comprising: an upper piece comprised of said fresh air intake and a lid which will fit over and seal said reservoir of said lower piece when the upper, center, and lower pieces are connected; a center piece comprised of the upper end of said elongated tube, and said venturi port; a lower piece is comprised of the lower end of said elongated tube, said reservoir structure, said means for connecting the bowl apparatus and to a smoking apparatus; means for connecting the upper, center, and lower pieces together; whereas when fit together the upper, center, and lower sections of the elongated tube form a continuous channel allowing fresh aft and vapor to travel from the upper piece to the smoking apparatus. 